WOOLWINE HOUSE BLUEBIRD TRAIL

Photo credit: Tom Cubbage

PURPOSE:   This site is being constructed continuously through Christine’s personal learning about bluebirding — first as a new bluebird “watcher” in the Spring of 2006 – to starting her own small bluebird trail in 2007-2008 to help the local Eastern Bluebirds thrive.   It is Christine’s hope that this is visually appealing, informative, educational, inspiring, and will ultimately help you understand the passion and her own enthusiasm and joy in helping this lovely bird. 

Christine lives in the Blue Ridge Highlands in Southwest Virginia.  She is formerly from the Chicago suburbs where she never saw a bluebird!   This is Christine’s 4th year of bluebird watching and 2nd year of constructing,  installing, and monitoring her own bluebird trail.   She presently is a member of the North American Bluebird Society and recently attended the 2009 NABS Annual Conference in Grantville, Pennsylvania in September 2009 – her first time attending this conference.   She is also a member and volunteer as a County Coordinator for the Virginia Bluebird Society.   Her small registered Woolwine House Bluebird Trail for 2009 has 16 nestboxes on her property and throughout her locale.  At some point, that number of nestboxes will be increased as new site locations are established for successful bluebird nesting and fledgings–probably to 20 boxes.  Christine thanks Carl, her neighbor, for helping her build and install the trail.  In addition, many thanks go to the private residents and the Dutchies View Bed and Breakfast and The Mountain Rose Inn for their support in the Woolwine House Bluebird Trail and allowing Christine to install a nestbox on their properties.   Christine hopes you are enjoying learning about bluebirds through her Woolwine House Bluebird Trail website and blog!   

Christine is active on several online Listservs, including bluebirding on Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bluebird-L and the Humnet-L sponsored by the Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, for Hummingbirds.  Christine is also active with NestWatch online, also hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  In addition to bluebirding and other birdwatching, Christine anticipates the hummingbirds to arrive each Spring through a migration map online and maintained by Lanny Chambers:    http://www.hummingbirds.net/      At home, there are usually 12-15  hummingbird feeders surrounding the house and hanging from tree branches in sitting areas throughout the property for a delightful show of the smallest and fastest birds and their humorous antics and beautiful agile flight patterns.   Nectar is made daily at the Woolwine House kitchen averaging a gallon of fresh nectar made each day.   Christine continues to use her new digital camera to practice photographing these quick birds…always a challenge.   Christine’s other interests include:  Digital and Film Photography, Technology and Graphics, Computers, Investigations, Vintage Homes and Country Inns, Antiquing, Horses, Tibetan Terriers, Music Appreciation, Hummingbirds, Country Living, Steam Trains and Excursions, and Wildlife Watching.  

Would you like to experience the pure joy of finding these in a nestbox?

Do you have a group interested in hearing more about bluebirds?  Christine is happy to make a presentation to introduce your group to the joys of bluebirding!   Grants are available through the Virginia Bluebird Society for your non-profit group wanting to put up a bluebird trail or to refurbish an old abandoned trail.   Contact Christine for more information: 

          VOICEMAIL:    703.919.4302            

Please leave a message with your contact information and a convenient time to be reached.  Thank you, and I hope you, too, can join Christine in her passion for these lovely birds.

Thanks for visiting my bluebird site!   Please feel free to leave comments on this site with your first name only.  Your privacy is important to me — your Email address remains private to the public on this site.  All comments are screened in advance prior to posting publicly.  

May blue skies and bluebirds bring you happiness!                                                       

Box building....securing the roof.

The entry hole for Eastern Bluebirds should be 1.5 inches.

Getting the cut pieces together for finishing the construction.

Here are the completed boxes without the predator guards, poles, and installation.